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For generations, patients needed to visit a healthcare professional in person to receive medical care. Now, technology allows patients to connect with providers from the comfort of their own homes. Telehealth has gained significant popularity in recent years, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the was valued at $101.15 billion, and experts say that this number will grow by 24.3% from 2024 to 2030. One healthcare sector specifically impacted by telehealth is nursing. Telehealth nurses work in many different settings, including hospitals, clinics, call centers, and even their own homes. They offer medical guidance, support, and education remotely, ensuring that patients receive the help they need regardless of their location. The rise in telehealth nursing offers more than mere convenience; it's redefining patient-provider relationships, expanding healthcare access for underserved communities, and reshaping the very nature of the healthcare industry.Ìý

Beyond Basic Virtual Care: The Evolution of Telehealth Nursing 

Telehealth, also called telemedicine, has a longer history than many people realize. For example, in 1955, the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute utilized closed-circuit television to connect virtually with Norfolk State Hospital for psychiatric consultations. For decades, doctors and nurses have used telephone communication to reach patients in need. However, the telehealth services available today have undergone a drastic improvement, far surpassing the capabilities of earlier systems. This progress is driven by a range of innovative tools, including: 

• AI-Assisted virtual triage platforms: Nurses have screened patient concerns using telephones since the 1960s. Today, they leverage artificial intelligence analysis and video conferencing to conduct virtual assessments and determine the next steps.Ìý
• AI-powered chatbots: Patients used to wait in a waiting room to speak to a nurse. Today, natural language processing (NLP) and other AI tools facilitate human-like conversations between chatbots and patients. These bots help nurses evaluate concerns, guide patients to appropriate care, and enhance overall healthcare accessibility. After AI gathers basic information, nurses handle more complex tasks, ensuring that patients get the care they need promptly.
• Predictive analytics for remote patient monitoring: Advancements in machine learning and data analysis have significantly enhanced the capabilities of predictive analytics programs within the telemedicine sector. Using these programs, nurses can identify high-risk patients, predict disease outbreaks, and create personalized treatment plans tailored to patients’ changing needs.Ìý
• Enhanced documentation tools: The manual charting processes of the past were labor-intensive and error-prone. AI-driven documentation tools decrease mistakes and help nurses spend less time inputting data while dedicating more time to direct patient care.Ìý

Emerging Technologies in Telehealth Nursing

The evolution of telehealth nursing has modernized healthcare, making it more efficient, personalized, and accessible. Today’s technologies allow nurses to provide comprehensive support to patients remotely, effectively overcoming geographical and logistical barriers. From remote patient monitoring to digital care coordination, groundbreaking technologies are transforming patient care, leading to practical improvements in how nurses engage with and support patients. Some of the most essential tools in telehealth nursing include: 

• AI-powered virtual nursing assistants: By outsourcing routine tasks to digital assistants, nurses free themselves to focus on more complex responsibilities. AI assistants can record patients’ symptoms, detect anomalies in health data, schedule appointments, assist with medication management, and more.
• Interactive patient portals and mobile health applications: Portal websites and apps securely store medical records and test results, allowing patients 24/7 access to their personal medical information. These platforms may also be used to schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, and streamline communications between patients and providers.
• Video conferencing platforms: Through video calls, nurses and nurse practitioners can assess symptoms, answer questions, and offer support. Video conferencing can foster a stronger patient-provider relationship, enabling nurses to deliver personalized care from a distance.
• Remote monitoring devices: Portable medical devices such as blood pressure cuffs, glucose meters, and wearable activity trackers allow patients to send real-time medical data to healthcare providers without traveling to a facility.Ìý
• Electronic prescription systems: Nurse practitioners often utilize e-prescription tools to create, transmit, and store patient prescriptions. This method not only improves efficiency but also minimizes errors caused by poor handwriting.
• Smart medication dispensers: These devices automatically release prescribed doses at scheduled times and send alerts to nurses if a dose is missed.Ìý
• Blockchain-powered communications: Ensuring patient confidentiality is a critical aspect of telemedicine. Through blockchain-powered data encryption, patients can securely share sensitive medical information with providers.Ìý

Advanced Practice Areas in Telehealth Nursing 

Telehealth nurses who have gained experience in the industry often choose to pursue advanced roles within the nursing field. These advanced practice areas allow nurses to take on broader responsibilities and play a more direct role in patient care. Some advanced practice areas in telehealth nursing include:  

• Family nurse practitioner (FNP): FNPs provide primary care to individuals of all ages and circumstances. They diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and promote overall wellness. This job requires at least a master’s degree in nursing with a family nurse practitioner specialization and a family nurse practitioner certification.
• Nurse educator: By educating patients about health conditions, treatment options, and lifestyle choices, nurse educators empower patients to take charge of their own health. Most nurse educators have a master’s degree in nursing, though it is not always required.Ìý
• Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner: Mental health nurse practitioners diagnose and treat psychiatric conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The role requires at least a master’s degree with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specialization.Ìý
• Certified nurse midwife: By providing skilled prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, nurse midwives promote the health of mothers and babies. In a telehealth setting, nurse midwives conduct virtual assessments, offer counseling and guidance, and monitor patients’ overall health and well-being.Ìý
• Clinical nurse specialist: Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) who concentrate on enhancing patient outcomes by improving healthcare systems. They evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth services, develop best practices, and use patient feedback to enhance service quality and accessibility.Ìý 
• Chronic disease management nurse: These nurses support patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases. They monitor patients’ symptoms, evaluate data from portable devices such as glucose meters, offer medication guidance, and coordinate care with other providers.
• Informatics nurse specialist: Also called nurse informaticists, these specialists work to improve patient outcomes through effective use of information systems and technologies. Most informatics nurse specialists have a master’s degree in nursing informatics.Ìý 

Specialized Telehealth Nursing Roles

Telehealth nursing is rapidly evolving, attracting many nurses to remote nursing positions in specialized areas. These roles require additional education and experience as well as specific certifications and trainings. Some specialized roles in telehealth nursing include: 

• Telephone triage nurse: These nurses assess patients’ symptoms to determine the severity of their health concerns and direct them to the appropriate services. Modern telephone triage nurses use technology such as video conferencing tools to connect with patients.Ìý
• Pain management nurse: Pain management nurses provide essential care for patients with chronic pain conditions. They collaborate with doctors and specialists to develop personalized care plans, discuss treatment options with patients, and offer valuable emotional support.
• Mental health nurse: As the demand for online therapy grows, there is an increased need for nurses with psychiatric training. Mental health nurses track patients’ symptoms, coordinate care with psychiatrists and therapists, lead online support groups, and provide guidance to patients experiencing mental health concerns.Ìý
• Pediatric nurse: Families seeking medical care for their children’s nonemergency conditions often turn to telehealth platforms for guidance and advice. Pediatric telehealth nurses conduct video consultations with parents, helping them assess the urgency of their child's medical condition and providing valuable resources.
• Case management nurse: Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging. Case management nurses coordinate treatments, explain treatment options, and assist with appointment scheduling and insurance matters.

Building a Successful Telehealth Nursing Career 

Building a successful career in telehealth nursing begins with obtaining a high-quality education. The minimum requirement to become a registered nurse is typically an associate degree or another approved nursing program. However, many nurses choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you want to thrive in the nursing field, a bachelor’s degree can equip you with a more in-depth understanding of advanced nursing topics, preparing you for specialized and leadership roles. After completing an accredited nursing program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This multiple-choice exam covers essential nursing topics, including pharmacological and parenteral therapies, infection control, care management, and psychosocial integrity.

Earning a master's degree in nursing can expand your expertise, unlock advanced career opportunities, and significantly boost your earning potential. This degree provides specialized training in areas such as diagnostics, pharmacology, and patient management, equipping you with the skills you need to become a leader in the field. A master’s degree is also the minimum requirement for obtaining nurse practitioner licensure. As a nurse practitioner, you will have the ability to diagnose conditions and prescribe medications, allowing you to take on a greater level of authority and autonomy in patient care. To boost your credentials even further, consider earning additional training or a nursing certification. The offers an ambulatory care nursing certification that can validate your knowledge and skills, increase your credibility, and help you qualify for specialized roles in telehealth nursing. According to ZipRecruiter, the average in the United States is $239,485 a year. Earning an advanced degree and one or more nurse certifications can significantly increase your earning potential.Ìý

Leading Healthcare's Digital Evolution 

Telehealth nurses play a vital role in improving healthcare outcomes, significantly impacting both their patients and the healthcare industry overall. If you're considering a career as a telehealth nurse, ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ can help. Our nursing bachelor's degree programs provide essential knowledge in areas such as pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and population health. If you’re looking to deepen your expertise, our nursing master's degree programs explore advanced healthcare topics, equipping you with the skills needed for leadership roles. ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ's curriculum incorporates emerging technologies, ensuring that future nurses are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of this field.Ìý

At ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ, we aim to develop graduates who are not just participants in healthcare but also strong leaders within the sector. Our comprehensive educational approach prepares nurses to navigate the complexities of telehealth, enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality care and improve patient outcomes in a digital environment. If you're ready to take your virtual healthcare career to the next level, ºÚÁÏ´«ËÍÃÅ's programs provide the education you need to succeed.